Unemployment rises in southeast Iowa

Henry County’s unemployment jumped to 6.2 percent the last month of 2012, compared to 5.5 percent in November of 2012.

Although the rate rose by over a half-percentage point in the county, it increased even more sharply in neighboring counties. Lee County, for example, wound up 2012 with 9.1 percent unemployment. The county’s November figure was 7.5 percent.

State and national unemployment percentages were unchanged in December at 4.9 and 7.8 percent, respectively.

Following are the latest jobless rates for neighboring counties, multi-county micropolitan areas and cities (the November 2012 figure is listed first followed by the December rate).